Never mind The X Factor, David Mahoney is providing a platform for emerging Welsh talent during a new music festival he’s founded – and he’s still just 23. He tells Mike Smith about his plans and the support he’s received from big names, including his Only Men Aloud colleagues

DAVID MAHONEY’S musical career is already so varied and packed with experience it reads like an idyllic Boy’s Own adventure.

The Only Men Aloud singer is about to embark on the next voyage of his personal odyssey, launching the new Cardiff Music Festival this month.

It has attracted star-name backing and billing including opera giants Dennis O’Neill and Rebecca Evans and the face and voice of opera from the TV-ad-of-the-moment, Wynne Evans.

And yet, Mahoney is still only 23 years old. Born in Germany, he moved with his family to Groes Faen, just outside Cardiff, when he was a baby, and has lived there ever since.

While there is no real musical family background – his mother works in finance, father in telecoms – his only brother is a student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, studying music technology, and his own life has been dominated by singing.

He says: “My grandfather has a good Welsh baritone voice but was not musically trained. I picked up my musicality at a young age as a chorister at Llandaff Cathedral.”

He studied at The Cathedral School, Llandaff, Cardiff until winning a music scholarship to Marlborough College and he was then a choral scholar at St Peter’s College, Oxford University where he studied music and graduated in 2009.

After internships at IMG Artists (who manage some of the world’s finest classical musicians) and EMI Classics he auditioned for Only Men Aloud and joined the choir that autumn.

“I’ve always been impressed with their performances, talent and fantastic vocal ability. We have performed in some incredible venues in the UK and abroad, sharing the stage with a huge range of artists.

“There have been and are amazing opportunities in TV work. And the highlight so far has been winning Album of the Year at the Classical Brit Awards in 2010 and generally sharing the experiences with a great bunch of lads. It’s great performing to appreciative audiences and sharing this with a great group of boys who all get along so well.”

Mahoney has big ambitions for his festival which brings together newcomers and established stars.

“With my background in music and the knowledge that I acquired of the music industry, I decided to put this combination to good use by establishing the Cardiff Music Festival, which will hopefully raise considerable amounts for charity, promote young artists and bring the highest quality of musical performance to Wales’ capital city,” he says.

“My hope is that the festival will go from strength to strength and who knows, I may be the next Simon Cowell!” he laughs.

As artistic director, Mahoney has the twin aims of promoting young artists by giving them a platform alongside some of the biggest names in the musical world and raising considerable amounts of money for charity.

He’s supported by a team of volunteers from OMA and other members of the music community.

“A lot of emphasis is placed on youth music in Wales, but not for young artists trying to start a career in the music industry,” he says. “The festival also aims to bring classical music and musical theatre to those who may not have been exposed to it before.

“My hope is that one day, this festival will be able to compete with some of the major European music festivals as a celebration of high-quality music made by the enormous wealth of talent that this city has to offer.”

The stature of the performers is very impressive, with artists such as Wynne Evans, who’s famous for his appearances in the Go Compare ads; OMA founder Tim Rhys-Evans and soprano Gwawr Edwards all performing. International opera star Rebecca Evans is a patron along with tenor Dennis O’Neill.

“All performers are giving their time and skill free of charge, showing support for the three charities that we are raising money for through musical performance.”

The festival is supporting the Noah’s Ark Appeal, which raises money for the Children’s Hospital for Wales; The Elizabeth Evans Trust, which supports young people branching out in careers in the arts and Amser Justin Time, which supports those with pancreatic cancer.

The festival will be opened by its resident ensemble the Cardiff Sinfonietta, joined by the critically acclaimed young pianist Sophie Cashell.

Mahoney is thrilled with the support he’s received, especially from his friends and colleagues in Only Men Aloud.

“Tim Rhys-Evans and the whole of Only Men Aloud have been incredibly supportive of the festival. Without their support it simply would not have happened and I’m very proud to be a part of a group of young men who are doing so much for music in Wales.”